Boxmaking machine



Nov. 22, 1949 H. D. BENSON BOX MAKING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 4, 1947 INVENTOR Jirry 1236125022 uLAlL mwvh/ ATTORNEYS Nov. 22, 1949 H. BEN ON 2,488,757

BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 4, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 52 3 .ffiaz'rgfl Benson 5 BY 411 41 mi/ ATTORNEYS Nov. 22, 1949 H. D. BENSON BOX MAKING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 4, 1947 L A 4 Mn 4 I 4 5 w W a NM W l w M; 2 n/W A? i J 1 7 O /v m v a w 5 6 w m a W n a w u a Z M w ATTORNEYS Filed Aug. 4,, 47

4 Sheets-S1 4 INVENTOR Harry .D. on

ATTO EYS Pat ented Nov. 22, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC cral Nailing Machine Corporation,

Sanger,

Califi, a corporation of California Application August 4, 1947, SerialNo. 766,061

This invention is directed generally to box making or framing machines.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a box making machine which includes a novel, box framing assembly operative to effectively and accurately locate the box parts preparatory to the. nailing operations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a box framing assembly which embodies box end clamping units, of new design, adapted to automatically clamp each of two spaced box ends in correct position relative to the corresponding slats, and to the path of travel of the nailing units. One improved feature of each such clamping unit is the exertion of clamping pressure from both sides of an engaged box end, so that accurate vertical alinement with the nailing units may be accomplished together with positive clamping of said box end for nailing of the slats thereto.

An additional object of the instant invention is to actuate each of the above mentioned box end clamping units in a novel manner, and by means which includes a vertically movable plunger cam arranged to travel with the corresponding nailing unit.

It is also an object of the invention to provide the box framing assembly with an improved automatic shook stop unit.

A further object of the invention is to produce a practical, and convenient to use, box making machine and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a box making machine embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing one of the box end clamping units and the adjacent portion of the automatic shook stop unit.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of one side of the box framing assembly with the box end clamping unit in its starting or open position.

Figure 4 is a similar view but shows the clamping unit closed, and the corresponding nailing unit lowered.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation showing the upper anvil as in use .on oneside of the box framing assembly.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section on line 5-6 of Fig. 2 showing the spring ar- 19 Claims. (C1. 1-10) 2. rangement which permits of downward yielding of the automatic shook stop unit.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of the actuating mechanism for one of the rotary spindles of the automatic shook stop unit. I

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view on a line 83 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view on a line 9-9 of Fig. 5.

Referring now more particularly to the char-,- acters of reference on the drawings, the invention is here shown as embodied in a box making machine which includes a main frame, indicated generally at 1, having hollow legs 2 at opposite sides thereof; said legs being connected at the upper end by a top beam 3 and at the lower end by a hollow base 4. The main frame l thus defines a substantially rectangular opening 5 in which the box making parts of the machine are mounted.

Mainly within the opening 5 the machine includes an adjustable mounting frame, indicated generally at 6, which carries a pair of transverse.- ly spaced nailing. units 1, and below said nailing units the mounting frame 5 supports a box frame ing assembly, indicated generally at (its which the present invention is mainly directed. This box framing assembly will hereinafter be .described, in greater detail, as to its structure and function.

The top beam 3 of the main frame supports a power actuated nail stripper 9 which feeds nails through flexible tubes Hi to the chucks H of the nailing units '1; the latter each including a row of said chucks extending horizontally through. the machine. I

The nailing. units l are. vertically .reciprocated by a horizontal top driving bar l2. included, in vertically reciprocating relation, in the mounting frame .6, and said top driving bar l2 is actu ated one complete cycle at a time from a normally raised starting position by connecting rods l3 secured to opposite ends of said bar and depending within the hollow legs 2. These connecting rods t3 are attached at their lower ends to cranks M on a cross shaft I5 journaled in the hollow base 4. An electric motor I5 is. mounted in the base 4 and by means of a clutch. and brake unit I! is adapted to rotate the cranks is through only a full cycle upon each depression of a control pedal l8. With each depression of the control pedal l8, the clutch and brake unit .l! functions to impart one revolution only to the cranks 14 which in turn workthrough the connecting rods I3 to reciprocate the top driving bar 12 throughone cycle, starting from its top position and ac,-

tuating the mailing units I. At its ends, and within the legs 2 of the frame, the top driving bar i2 is guided for vertical movement between vertical guide bars B secured in the main frame I. Outwardly of bars B, end plates P are secured on the ends of driving bar i2, and it is to these plates that connecting rods i3 are pivoted. (See Figs. 1 and 8.)

The adjustable mounting frame 5 includes a transversely spaced pair of upstanding mounting posts l9 which are vertically slotted, as at 23. At their lower ends the posts I9 are attached in guided and laterally adjustable, but normally fixed, relation to a bottom bar unit 2! which is rigidly connected to the legs 2 of the main frame.

The top driving bar [2 projects, in guided relation, through the slots of the upstanding mounting posts i9 adjacent their upper ends, whereby said top driving-car may vertically reciprocate to actuate the nailing units 1.

The above comprises the general assembly of the machine and there is now described the details of the box framing assembly 8.

Below each of the nailing units 1 the corresponding vertically slotted, mounting post I9 is fitted with a box end clamping unit, indicated generally at 22. A predetermined distance below each box end clamping unit 22 the corresponding post It is iitted with a lower anvil 23 which extends horizontally through the machine to support a box end 2 Each lower anvil 23 is vertically adjustably secured to the corresponding post ill by a mounting block 25 engaged in the slot 20 of such post, and retained therein by a back plate 26.

As the box ends 24 are not square for certain types of boxes, and are relatively narrower in one dimension, it is requisite, for proper operation of the machine as will hereinafter appear, to provide an upper anvil 2? between each box end clamping unit 22 and the lower anvil 23.

Each upper anvil 21 extends horizontally through the machine and is vertically swingably mounted on a bracket 28, on end fingers 29 pivoted, as at 3B, for motion of said upper anvil from a lowered working position to an upward and laterally outwardly disposed non-working position.

Each upper anvil 2?, at its lead end, is rounded or flared laterally outward, as at 3|. When a box end 24, which is to be supported on the lower anvil 23 is run edgewise into the box framing assembly, the rounded lead end of the upper anvil 27 is engaged by the box end and said anvil is thus automatically swung upward and laterally outward to its non-working position. When a narrower box end 24a (see Fig. 5) is being used, it is supported on the upper anvil 21.

The bracket 23 is held in place on the corresponding post i9 by a mounting block 32 engaged in the slot 20 of such post and maintained therein by a back plate 33. Each anvil 2! is maintained against dropping below its working position by engagement with a portion of the bracket 28.

Each of the box end clamping units 22 is identical in construction and operation, and, therefore, a description of one will sunice for both.

Each such box end clamping unit 22 comprises a rigid attachment plate 34 extending horizontally through the machine and vertically adjustably secured in intersecting relation to the corresponding vertically slotted post is on the inside face thereof by the following described clamping means. A mounting block 35 is fixed on the back of said plate 34 and engages in the vertical slot 2% of said corresponding post. Cross bars 36 ex- 4 tend across the outer face of the post I9 and bolts 36a extend through plates 36 and into the block 35. By tightening these bolts the plates 36 and block 35, and consequently the plate 34, are rigidly clamped to the post IS.

A laterally movable clamping plate 3! is disposed inwardly of the rigid attachment plate 34 parallel to the same; said clamping plate facing inwardly and being mounted for lateral motion by means of cap screws 38 which extend through matching bores 39 in the rigid attachment plate 34. The heads of the cap screws 38 are disposed to the rear of said plate 34 and compression springs 43 surround said cap screws between their heads and said plate whereby to normally urge the movable clamping plate 31 into engagement with the same.

An elongated clamping arm 41 extends horizontally through the machine laterally inwardly of the clamping plate 3'! but in normally spaced relation therefrom; said clamping arm flaring laterally inwardly at its lead end, as shown, and being curved laterally outwardly at its other end, passing through a slot in the attachment plate 3d, as shown, to connect with an actuating leg disposed lengthwise of the rigid attachment plate 34 but on the opposite side of the post 19. The generally U-shaped unit comprised of the clamping arm (H and actuating leg 43 is pivoted to the back side of the attachment plate 34, as at 42, for swinging about said pivot in a horizontal plane. The clamping arm 4| and the actuating leg 43 are in fact formed from a single member of spring metal.

The movable clamping plate 37 and the corresponding clamping arm 4| are thus positioned to engage on opposite sides of a box end 24 supported in the machine by the lower anvil 23, as in Fig. 3, or a narrower end 24a supported by the upper anvil 21, as in Fig. 5.

The movable clamping plate 3'! and the clamping arm A! are power actuated toward each other, to positively clamp the box end 24 therebetween with each downward driving motion of the corresponding nailing unit 1, and this action of the plate 37 and arm GE is accomplished as follows:

Each nailing unit 1 includes a vertically movable part 44 which reciprocates with said unit, and a vertically elongated plunger cam 45 is suspended from said part as but is normally clear of the mounting block 35. With each downward stroke of the corresponding nailing unit 1 the plunger cam 45 drives downwardly through a vertical bore d6 in the mounting block 35 and projects between a pair of normally closely adjacent roller units 31 which project into said bore 46 through transverse ports 38.

These roller units 131 are mounted, respectively, on adjacent faces of the movable clamping plate 3'! on one side of the post and the actuating leg 13 on the opposite side of said post. The lower end of the plunger cam 65 is formed with opposed tapered faces 49 which initially engage the roller units 4'! to effect the cam action or spreading effect On said units. The one of the faces 49 corresponding to the roller unit All, carried by the actuating leg 43,15 of greater effective length than the other face so that the throw imparted to the clamping arm M is greater in extent than the corresponding but opposite throw imparted to the movable clamping plate 3?. With this arrangement the clamping arm ill can be disposed from the clamping plate 37 normally a suificient distance for easy engagement of the box end 24 between said parts, but yet permits of clamping motion towards each other of both said plate 31 and arm 41 as the corresponding nailing unit 1 drives downwardly; the clamping operation being accomplished before the. chucks H come into play.

The movable clamping plate 3.1 is of a height such that it extends some distance above the horizontal. plane of the. upper edge of a box end 24 or 240. disposed in. the box framing assembly, whereby when said movable clamping plate 31 moves laterally inwardly it assures of proper alinemen-t of the shook or slats. 50 which are to be nailed to said uppermost edgeof the box end. The chucks II- are straight-sided, as. at and are disposed to move in close parallel relationship to: the upper facing portion of. the clamping plate 31 as the corresponding nailing unit 1 drives downwardly to nailing position.

Immediately upon the raising stroke of each nailing unit 1 the plunger cam retracts. from the. roller units 4.1, whereby the same may return to-their initial or normal position in closely adjacent relation with the movable clamping plate 31 and clamping arm 4| separated for placement or withdrawal of the box end 24.. A box is. framed in the framing assembly 8..in agenerally conventional manner; that is. the slats are nailed to one side of the box; the ends 24 are then withdrawn, rotated a quarter-turn and replaced in the framing assembly whereupon the bottom slats are afiixed; and thereafter the ends 24 are again withdrawn, rotated a quarter-turn and replaced in the framing assembly for attachment of the slats on the other side. When the box ends 24. are square the lower anvil .23. is used in each of the above positions, but where the box is relatively shallow in depth with the box end of lesser height than Width, the upper anvil 21 is used to support the narrower box ends 24a during the application of the bottom slats of box. Suitable stops 52 limit entry motion of the box ends 24 or 24a intothe box framing assembly to correct posi-- tion in a direction longitudinally through the machine; these stops being mounted on any con venient member, here shown as the upper anvils 21.

The slats 50 on the sides and bottom of the box frequently have differential spacing, and in order to conveniently and quickly locate such slats as they are manually placed in the box framing assembly for each nailing operation, there is provided the following automatic shook stop unit:

A transverse horizontal mounting rod 53, of longitudinally adjustable construction, extends between the rear end portions of the rigid attachment plates 34, and a pair of transversely spaced rotary spindles 54 project forwardly from said rod 53 in adjacent, corresponding relation to the box end clamping units 22. These rotary spindles .54 are normally horizontal and are turnably mounted at their rear ends in sleeves 55 fixed on the rod 53. A ratchet lever 56 is rotatably mounted on and projects radially from each spindle 54 adjacent the corresponding sleeve 55 and includes a pawl 51 working in cooperation with a three-stage ratchet wheel 58 on the spindle. A control rod 59 connects between the outer end of the ratchet lever 56 and the corresponding nailing unit 1 by means which includes a bracket 60 on each such unit through which the rod projects. Each bracket is disposed between springs BI and 62 located on the rod between stop collars, as shown. The bracket 60 has a certain amount of loose play so that on the downward stroke of each nailing unit I, the corresponding rod 59 is not immediately actuated. However, by the time each nailing unit reaches the bottom of its stroke the. corresponding spring 621 is compressed andzthe rod; '59 shifts downwardly to swing the ratchet. lever 55 in the; same direction from a normally upstanding position through an arcuate path of a. one-third turn. This turns the. ratchet wheel 58 and corresponding spindle 54 also through a one-third turn. Engagement of each bracket 60 with the corresponding spring 5.!- on the; up-stroke of each nailingv unit returns each rod. 59- and its. ratchet lever 56 to raised starting position preparatory to effecting a further onethird' turn. of the corresponding spindle on, the next downstroke.

The rotary spindles 54 are fitted with a plurality of longitudinally adjustable stops. 63 mounted in and. projecting from longitudinal slots 64- in said spindles; the longitudinal slots :64 being spaced apart one-third of a turn from each other, i. e. degrees apart. The stops 63 are adjusted on the spindles 54 in position to. provide the correct differential spacing of the slats for the sides, and.

adjustably mounted thereon; said spindles making a one-third turn with each nailing operation, so as to then bring into operative position the stops 53 to correctly locate the manually placed slats for the next following nailing operation.

In order to. prevent possible damage to the rotary spindle structure by pressure which may exert thereon from above. by the slats 50 when engaged by the .nailing units 7., said spindles 54 are mounted for spring. resisting downward yield ing asfollows:

At each end the rod 53 is turnably supported from the corresponding attachment plates 34- by axially disposed cap. screws 65, and at one or both ends of the rod .53 it includes a radial arm *66 a pin 61 which rides in a slot 58 in the adjacent attachment plate 34. A generally V- shaped spring -6 9: straddles the adjacent cap screw 65 from beneath hearing at one end on a pin 10 on the plate 34 and bearing at the other end on the pin 61;. The spring 69 thus normally acts to urge the rod '53 in a direction to maintain the rotary spindles :54 raised to their normal horizontal position, but permitting of limited lowering, thereof by reason of the movability of the pin. 61 in the slot 68. This is an advantageous safety feature. 7

The present invention provides abox framing assembly which is not only simple .in its structure, but provides a practical and conveniently used mechanism for the framing or making of boxes. Additionally, as the box framing assembly comprises working parts which are carried in their entirety, one-half on one of the upstanding mounting posts ['9 and one-half on the other of such posts, adjustment of the machine for boxes of different lengths is accomplished by the simple lateral adjustment of said posts, accompanied by longitudinal adjustment of the rod 53. Further, to adjust the box framing assembly for boxes or varying widths and heights, it only requires sliding adjustment of the lower anvils 23, and upper anvils 21 on the vertically slotted posts [9, which adjustment is easily manually accomplished.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, 1

still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful and upon which Letters Patent is desired:

1. A box making machine comprising an upstanding main frame, a mounting frame on the main frame having a pair of transversely spaced upstanding posts, a box end clamping unit mounted on corresponding post, a box end supporting anvil on each post below the corresponding clamping unit, a power actuated, vertically reciprocable nailing unit above each clamping unit,

and means operative to actuate each clamping unit in predetermined timed relation to the downstroke of he corresponding nailing unit; each clamping unit comprising a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinal clamping members, means mounting said members in connection with the corresponding post for motion toward each other from a normally open position, said operating means being effective to so move said members.

2. A box making machine comprising an upstanding main frame, a mounting fram on the main frame having a pair of transversely spaced upstanding posts, a box end clamping unit mounted on corresponding post, a box end supporting anvil on each post below the corresponding clamping unit, a power actuated, vertically reciprocable nailing unit above each clamping unit, and means operative to actuate each clamping unit in predetermined timed relation to the down-stroke of the corresponding nailing unit; each clamping unit comprising a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinal clamping members, means mounting said members in connection with the corresponding post for motion toward each other from a normally open position, and said clamp actuating means being connected to and operated by the corresponding nailing unit.

3. A box making machine comprising an upstanding main frame, a mounting frame on the main frame having a pair of transversely spaced upstanding posts, a box end clamping unit mounted on corresponding post, a box end supporting anvil on each post below the corresponding clamping unit, a power actuated, vertically reciprocable nailing unit above each clamping unit, and means operative to actuate each clamping unit in predetermined timed relation to the down-stroke of the corresponding nailing unit; each clampling unit comprising a horizontal attachment member secured to the corresponding post lengthwise through the machine, a clamping plate extending lengthwise of and secured to the attachment member inwardly thereof for lateral motion, a clamping arm extending lengthwise of the clamping plate inwardly thereof and mounted for lateral motion, said clamp actuating means being operative to cause said clamping plate and clamping arm to move laterally toward each other into holding engagement with a box end supported on the corresponding anvil and projecting upward between said plate and arm.

4. A box making machine, as in claim 3, in which the actuating means for said clamping plate and clamping arm includes adjacent but separable elements, separation of the elements being effective to cause the plate and arm to move toward each other, and a plunger cam operative to engage between said elements to separate the same; said plunger cam being actuated by the corresponding nailing unit.

5. A box making machine comprising an upstanding main frame, a mounting frame on the main frame having a pair of transversely spaced upstanding posts, a box end clamping unit mounted on corresponding post, a box end supporting anvil on each post below the corresponding clamping unit, a power actuated, vertically reciprocable nailing unit above each clamping unit, and means operative to actuate each clamping unit in predetermined timed relation to the down-stroke of the corresponding nailing unit; each clamping unit comprising a horizontal attachment member secured to the corresponding post lengthwise through the machine, a clamping plate extending lengthwise of and secured to the attachment member inwardly thereof for lateral motion, a clamping arm extending lengthwise of the clamping plate inwardly thereof for lateral motion, said clamping arm being included in a generally u-shaped member having an actuating leg extending lengthwise on the opposite side of the attachment member, means pivoting the U-shaped member for lateral motion of its included clamping arm, elements projecting laterally toward and into normally close relation from said clamping plate and actuating leg, and said clamp actuating means being a plunger cam adapted to engage between and separate said elements to cause lateral approaching motion of the clamping plate and clamping arm, said plunger cam being connected to the corresponding nailing unit.

6. A box making machine, as in claim 5, in which said elements are roller units.

7. A box making machine, as in claim 5, in which the plunger cam has working faces coacting with said elements, of different effective lengths so as to cause differential motion of the clamping plate and clamping arm.

8. in a box making machine, a frame, a pair of transversely spaced box end clamping units mounted on the frame, a pair of vertically reciprocable nailing units mounted on the frame in cooperating relation to corresponding box end clamping units, and an automatic differential shook stop unit supported in working position intermediate the clampin units; said stop unit comp-rising a horizontal cross rod adjacent the rear ends of the clamping units, transversely spaced rotar spindles projecting forwardly from the rod, circumferentially spaced stops on the spindles with differential spacing lengthwise of said spindles, and means to rotate the spindles a predetermined part turn with each reciprocation of the nailing units 9, In a box making machine, a frame, a pair of transversely spaced box end clamping units mounted on the frame, a pair of vertically reciprocable nailing units mounted on the frame in cooperating relation to corresponding box end clamping units, and an automatic differential shoal; stop unit supported in work ng position intermediate the clamping units; said stop unit comprising a horizontal cross rod adjacent the rear ends of the clamping units, transversely spaced rotary spindles projecting forwardly from the rod, circumferentially spaced stops on the spindles with difierential spacing lengthwise of said spindles, and means to rotate the spindles a predetermined part turn with each reciprocation of the nailing units; the rod being mounted for spring resisted, limited rotation in a direction to permit of depression of said spindles from a normal position.

10. A box making machine, as in claim 8, in which said spindle rotating means includes a ratchet lever turnable on each spindle; a ratchet wheel on each spindle, a pawl on the lever working the ratchet wheel, and a rod connected between each lever and the corresponding nailing unit.

11. A box making machine comprising in combination a main frame, a mounting frame supported in the main frame and including a pair of upstanding posts, nailing units mounted on the posts for reciprocating movement relative thereto, means mounted in the main frame and connected with the nailing units and operative to effect reciprocation of such units, a box end 12. A combination as in claim 11 in which the clamping units are mounted for vertical adjustment along the posts.

13. A combination as in claim 11, in which the clamping unit includes a pair of normally spaced apart complementary clamping elements, and means responsive to movement of the nailing effective to move said elements toward each other with the movement of the nailing units toward nailing :position.

14. A combination as in claim 11 in which each clamping unit includes an attachment plate fixed to one of the posts, and a pair of normally spaced apart clamping elements mounted on said attachment plate for movement toward and away from each other, and means responsive to the movement of the nailing units to effect such relative movement of the clamping elements.

15. A combination as in claim 11, in which each clamping unit includes an attachment plate fixed to one of the posts, a clamping plate, yieldable means between the clamping plate and the attachment plate normally holding the clamping plate adjacent the attachment plate, a clamping arm mounted on the attachment plate in spaced relation to the clamping plate, and means responsive to the movement of the nailing units to effect movement of the clamping plate toward the clamping arm.

16. A combination as in claim 15 in which said last named means includes an engagement roller projecting from the face of the clamping plate, and a cam finger on the nailing unit engageable with said roller.

1'7. A combination as in claim 11 in which each clamping unit includes an attachment plate fixed to one of the posts, a clamping plate, means mounting the clamping plate on the attachment plate, a clamping arm normally spaced from the clamping plate and pivoted on the attachment plate, and means responsive to the movement of the nailing units to swing the clamping arm toward the clamping plate.

18. A box end clamping unit for a box making machine which includes an upstanding post, a pair of laterally spaced clamping elements, such elements being mounted on the post in facing relation, one element being pivoted at one end to the post beyond the adjacent end of the other element, a leg on the pivoted element beyond its pivot point, such leg extending in substantial parallelism with said other element and spaced laterally therefrom, and a plunger cam operative to be projected between the leg and said other element to swing the pivoted element on its pivot and cause it to approach the other element.

19. A box end clamping unit for a box making machine which includes an upstanding post, a first clamping element mounted on the post, a second clamping element normally spaced from the first element in facing relation thereto, means mounting the second element on the post for movement toward and away from the first element, such last named mounting means including a leg fixed on the first element and extending in substantial parallelism with the first element and spaced from the face thereof opposite that which faces the second element, and a, plunger cam movable between the leg and first element effective to move the second element toward the first element.

HARRY D. BENSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 289,941 Swift Dec. 11, 1883 342,788 Edwards June 1, 1886 344,419 Swift June 29, 1886 959,158 Parker May 24, 1910 1,478,118 Henderson Dec. 18, 1923 1,890,586 Parker Dec. 13, 1932 1,910,633 Paxton May 23, 1933 2,004,355 Twomley June 11, 1935 

